Locking mechanism for loose-leaf binders



p l 5 w. J. STEENRQD LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LOOSE LEAF BINDERS Filed Sent. 23. 1926 Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

cums s r wmmam "a. stannaon, BENTON m se magmas, ASS'IG'NG'H TO la es- Tina-COMPANY, 10F BENTON HARBOR-MICHIGAN, A GORKORATION oFMIoHIGAu.

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR Loos'n imar mamas imputation measep eaaems, 1926;: Serial ra /522s;

Myinvention relates to locking mechanism devised for *use in what are termed en'd lock post 'binders, consisting :ofa pair: of covers severally'hinged to post bars, one of the bars being equipped withv fixed cylindrical apos'ts adapted to engage the orificed sheets which the bindertis designed to 'recfeive, and the other of which is a removable bar, orificed to engage the posts and arranged to house a locking mechanism, operable at one end of the bar, which locking mechanism is arranged to look such removable bar and associated cover to the posts. Locking mechanisms for binders which inv general mode of operation and construction are similar to that hereinafter described are known in the art, and the object of my present invention is to provide an improved specific form of locking mechanism which by reason of its novel construction shall be particularly efficient and sturdy, simple in construction and little liable to derangement, and which can be manufactured at a minimum cost. With this object in view I have designed and invented my novel, improved locking mechanism, the essential elements of my invention being more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 7

In the drawing, Figure 1 is alongitudinal section through the bars of a post binder in which my invention is embodied, the section being taken in a plane passing axially through the posts; Fig.2 is a section through the removable post bar in a plane indicated by the dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figs. 3

and 4 are cross-sections of such bar in planes indicated by the lines 33 and 4l4, respectively, of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a perspective View of an end block providing a seat for the locking screw. 7

Like reference characters indicate like parts in all thefigures of the drawing.

It will be. understood that the binder covers (not shown) are hinged in any known or suitable manner to the sides of the upper removable post bar 1, and the lower post bar 2,the positions mentioned having reference to the position of the parts as shown in Figure 1,the lower post bar carrying the posts 3 secured to them in any suitable manner and the upper post bar being hollow and orificed to loosely engage the posts, and arranged to house the locking mechanism. As shown, the upper post bar is composed of two telescoping plates 4 and 5 which when assembled form a fiat hollow. casing-reetam gulan in =cross se'cti on, one end-"of which is closed byra solid rend block 6, and theotlier by'an orifice'd beakl7. 1

Within this casingiis arranged 'aal'o'ok ban 8, which-is rectangular' in cross-section'l'and of such dimension as toxbelooselyi received within the casing, and is formed with semicircular end hooks or bends 99, the inner faces of which are formed on approximately the same radius as the posts 3. An inwardly extending lip 10 near the center of the post i bar member 5, and a similar lip 11 adjacent the outer side of the end bend of the lock bar 8 nearest the end block 6 serve to loosely position the lockbar within the casing.

At the bend of the lock bar nearest the end block 7 such bar is formed with a threaded orifice arranged to engage the threaded end of the locking screw 12 which is rotatably seated in the end block'7 at the inner side of the latter, and which has at its outer enda squared end disposed vwithin a recess on the outer side of the block, this squared end being designed to be engaged by a turning keyby which the locking screw may be rotated. V a

When the locking screw 12 is retracted to outermost position, out of engagement with the adjacent post, the loose engagementof the post bar 1 with the posts permits the post bar to be shifted on the posts, or re- 'moved therefrom if desired. By turning the locking screw the posts are drawn towards each other by coaction of the lock bar and locking screw to grip against the inner faces of the orifices of thepost bar and thus clamp the bar and associated parts to the posts. 7

The heavy and rigid square construction of the lock bar, presenting on the inside of the end hooks a semi-cylindrical face of ap proximately the curvature of the posts, has in practice been found to afford a particularly eificient clamping or looking action, and the strong and sturdy construction of the parts renders the locking more durable than any known to me, while simple and economicalto manufacture and exceedingly desirable from a manufacturing standpoint.

I claim:

1. In a binder having a post bar equipped with a pair of posts fixed thereto and a hollow orificed removable post bar, locking circularphooks at its'ropposite ends arranged to engage'said posts, and alocking screw disposed longitudinallycf said removable post barv at one end: thereof and making j screw-threaded engagement with .said lock Q; bar at the center of its adjacent hook. 1

. 2. In a binder having a post bar equipped with a pair of posts fixed theretoand a hol- ,plow' orificed removable post' bar oblong in cross-section, withinsaidremovable .barincluding a rigid lockbar which is rectangular in cross-section F g and arranged, to fit looseliyhetween the top locking mechanism housed and bottom of said casing, said lock bar be- :ain'g' formed with semi-circular hooks at its opposite ends arranged to engage said posts,

and a locking screw disposed longitudinally of said removable postbar at one end thereof and making screw-threaded engagement with said lock bar at the center-Of-itsadjacent hook.

A loose-leaf binder locking mechanism j according toclai'rn 2 in which said hollow' post bar includes a pairof telescoping sheetmetal members, one ofwhich isformed with struck-up guide lips adjacent the centralin ner face of the lock bar and a struck-up guide lip adjacent the outer face of the hook" of such bar remote from the locking screw. In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

WILLIAM J. STEENROD. 

